TEL AVIV – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday asked the country’s president to grant him a pardon from corruption charges, seeking to end a long-running trial that has bitterly divided the nation.
Mr. Netanyahu, who has been at war against Israel’s legal system over the charges, said the request would help unify the country at a time of momentous change in the region. But it immediately triggered denunciations from opponents, who said a pardon would weaken democratic institutions and send a dangerous message that he’s above the rule of law.
Mr. Netanyahu had submitted a request for a pardon to the legal department of the Office of the President, the prime minister’s office said in a statement. The president’s office called it an “extraordinary request,” carrying with it “significant implications.”
Mr. Netanyahu is the only sitting prime minister in Israeli history to stand trial, after being charged with fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in three separate cases accusing him of exchanging favors with wealthy political supporters. He hasn’t been convicted of anything.
Mr. Netanyahu rejects the allegations and has described the case as a witch hunt orchestrated by the media, police and judiciary.
His request comes weeks after U.S. President Trump publicly urged Israel to pardon Mr. Netanyahu, turning to President Isaac Herzog during his speech to Israel’s parliament last month. Earlier this month, Mr. Trump also sent a letter to Mr. Herzog calling the corruption case “political, unjustified prosecution.”
Mr. Herzog is a former political rival of Mr. Netanyahu, but the men have a good working relationship. Later Sunday, Israeli media reported a small protest outside Mr. Herzog’s home, including a pile of bananas with a sign saying a pardon equals a banana republic.
In a videotaped statement, Mr. Netanyahu said the trial has divided the country. He also said the requirement that he appear in court three times a week is a distraction that makes it difficult for him to lead.
“The continuation of the trial tears us apart from within, stirs up this division, and deepens rifts. I am sure, like many others in the nation, that an immediate conclusion of the trial would greatly help to lower the flames and promote the broad reconciliation that our country so desperately needs,” he said.
Mr. Netanyahu has taken the stand multiple times over the past year. But the case has been repeatedly delayed as he has dealt with wars and unrest stemming from the Hamas-led militant attacks on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
Mr. Netanyahu’s pardon request consisted of two documents: a detailed letter signed by his lawyer and a letter signed by Mr. Netanyahu. They’ll be sent to the Justice Ministry for opinions and will then be transferred to the legal adviser at the president’s office, which will formulate additional opinions for the president.
Legal experts say the pardon request isn’t able to stop the trial.
“It’s impossible,” said Emi Palmor, former director-general of the Justice Ministry.
“You cannot claim that you’re innocent while the trial is going on and come to the president and ask him to intervene,” she said. The only way to stop the trial is to ask the attorney general to withhold the proceedings, she said.
In rare cases, the system could pardon Mr. Netanyahu. Experts say the president has broad discretion to grant one, and oversight is limited.
Mr. Netanyahu’s request sparked backlash on Sunday, with an immediate response from the opposition and advocacy groups urging the president not to give in to his request.
“You cannot grant him a pardon without an admission of guilt, an expression of remorse and an immediate retirement from political life,” opposition leader Yair Lapid said.
